Joint pain can be absolutely devastating, and it is a condition that impacts millions of people every year. There are different types of arthritis, and one of the most common examples is osteoarthritis. We are Oklahoma Spine & Pain Management, and we are proud to offer comprehensive treatment for individuals afflicted by osteoarthritis. Browse through some of the most common osteoarthritis symptoms below, and do remember to make an appointment here in OKC if you have any questions.
What Is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a chronic inflammatory condition that impacts the cartilage in between your joints. Your joints are locations where two or more bones come together, providing additional flexibility and range of motion. When your bones rub against each other, it creates inflammation and pain. You have cartilage between the bony surfaces of your joints that prevents your bones from rubbing together.
When you develop arthritis in your joints, the cartilage between your bones gets worn down. Sometimes, you develop an autoimmune condition, and this inflammation destroys the cartilage between your joints. Without this cartilage, you may experience a wide variety of symptoms, all of which may make it difficult for you to move.
What Are the Symptoms of Osteoarthritis?
Like other conditions, the symptoms of osteoarthritis vary according to their extent and severity. In general, osteoarthritis is a condition that gradually develops and gets worse over time. The following are a few common symptoms of osteoarthritis:
- You may develop joint pain, which might get worse when you try to move them.
- Individuals with osteoarthritis often develop stiffness. Joint stiffness is usually the worst right after you wake up, and the stiffness may get better over the day as you move around.
- You might also develop point tenderness. Therefore, if you press down on your joints, the pain could get worse.
- If you have osteoarthritis, you might notice a significant reduction in your range of motion. You might have to move your joints less than you did before.
- You may also do a lot of swelling in certain locations of the body. Swelling generally develops in the soft tissues immediately around your joints.
You may have osteoarthritis if you experience any of these symptoms. At Oklahoma Spine & Pain Management, we look forward to providing you with a comprehensive evaluation.
How Is Osteoarthritis Diagnosed?
Osteoarthritis is typically diagnosed using a combination of clinical history and imaging. Moving on with the treatment, we will start by asking you about your symptoms and many of the issues mentioned above. We may also conduct a comprehensive physical exam to check for signs of swelling, flexibility, redness, and tenderness.
We may also order a series of imaging tests to aid in our diagnosis. For example, we may order x-rays to take a look at your joints. We will check and see if your joints are narrower than they usually are. If your cartilage has been destroyed, your bones may look closer together. We may also use other imaging scans, such as an MRI, to look closely at your soft tissues, including the cartilage between your bones.
What Is the Treatment for Osteoarthritis?
If we confirm a diagnosis of osteoarthritis, we have several treatment options available in OKC at Oklahoma Spine & Pain Management. We usually start by recommending over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications. These medications may alleviate some of the inflammation between your joints.
We may also take a well-rounded approach to our treatment plan, which is why we may recommend physical therapy. Physical therapy can increase the strength of the muscles surrounding your joints, providing more support for joints that may have been damaged by osteoarthritis.
If your symptoms are not getting better, we also have other treatment options. For example, we may provide injections to reduce inflammation and increase the cushioning between your joints. We have different medications available, and we will work with you to determine the best option for you.
There are plenty of treatment options available for osteoarthritis, and we will explain the features and benefits of each one to you. That way, we provide you with all the relevant information you may need while making the best possible decision for your overall health.
Call Dr. Robinson Today To Schedule an Appointment For Osteoarthritis Treatment in OKC
Osteoarthritis can devastate your overall quality of life, but it is not something you have to live with. We are Oklahoma Spine & Pain Management, and we understand that chronic pain stemming from arthritis can make it difficult for you to enjoy life. Together, we will develop a comprehensive treatment plan to target both the symptoms and the root cause of osteoarthritis. Then, we will follow up with you regularly to ensure our treatment plan positively impacts your quality of life. If you want more information about how we can assist you, call us today! Do schedule an appointment in OKC, and let us help you treat osteoarthritis.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
No. The key difference between osteoarthritis and arthritis is the cause of the condition. Osteoarthritis is a result of wear and tear of joints, while arthritis is caused when the body’s own immune system attacks the joints. Osteoarthritis is one of the forms of arthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease.
Book a ConsultationOsteoarthritis cannot be permanently treated, unfortunately. However, there are several ways to manage the pain, the costs of which are listed below–
- Medications–
- Acetaminophen: $5 to $20 per caplet
- NSAIDS: $8 to $20 for a 30 day supply
- Antidepressants: $7 to $135 for a 30 day supply
- Therapy–
- Physical Therapy: $75 to $150 per session
- Occupational Therapy: $50-$400 per hour
- Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS): $30 to $100 per unit
- Surgical Procedures–
- Cortisone Injections: $25 and $300 per shot
- Lubrication Injections: $1,436 to $3,159 per procedure
- Bone Realignment: $7,775 to $16,658 per procedure
- Joint Replacement: $16,555 to $23,678 per procedure
Yes. Affordable Care Act and Patient Protection laws allow patients of osteoarthritis to access protection and coverage of treatment of all kinds of arthritis, including osteoarthritis. Under the act, you cannot be denied coverage or dropped by your insurance company if you want to seek treatment for osteoarthritis. The act also prevents insurance companies from charging higher premiums to people with arthritis.
Book a ConsultationOsteoarthritis can cause stiffness, pain, and swelling in your body. People with minor symptoms of osteoarthritis may be able to work and have full mobility. However, in severe cases, osteoarthritis patients can also face reduced body function and even disability. Thus, these individuals cannot work or run errands on a daily basis.
Book a ConsultationYou can access several treatment and management options to ease osteoarthritis of the spine, including–
- Physical Therapy
- Corticosteroid Injection
- Pain Relief Medication
- Acupuncture
- Weight Loss
These are all noninvasive options, but in some cases, doctors may recommend surgery as well.
Book a ConsultationTo check patients for osteoarthritis, we will ask patients about their medical history and conduct a thorough physical examination. This examination may include checking your reflexes and joint problems. We will also take images of your joints using X-rays. X-rays can tell us about bone damage, bone remodeling, and bone spurs. Early joint damage may not appear on X-rays, so we can also do an MRI test to be sure.
Book a ConsultationThere are two sure ways to screen patients who are experiencing symptoms of osteoarthritis.
- X-rays: X-rays can show the loss of joint space due to osteoarthritis and also help doctors identify bone damage, bone spurs, and bone remodeling.
- MRIs: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a way to identify damage to soft tissues in the joint and around it.
Osteoarthritis mostly occurs in the hands, hips, and knees. Every joint has cartilage, a strong and flexible connective shock-absorbing tissue that is responsible for the protection of your joints and bones. Cartilage also reduces friction between your bones when you are using your joints. In osteoarthritis, the cartilage gradually breaks down, allowing the bones to change their form.
Book a ConsultationOsteoarthritis affects the hip the same way it affects other joints. It causes the cartilage in your hip joints to become thinner over time, causing the joint surfaces to become rougher. As a result, your joints become vulnerable to further damage. This damage can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in your hip. Although these are the most generic symptoms, they may vary from patient to patient.
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